Introduction There’s unbearable poignancy in Heinrich Lossow’s “Marie Antoinette and Marie Thérèse at Versailles”—not because of what it shows, but because of what we know comes next. The painting depicts a peaceful domestic moment between France’s queen and her daughter in the gilded magnificence of Versailles. It’s tender, intimate, beautiful. And it’s doomed. Quick Facts: … Read more
Quick Facts: The Enchantress Created: 1868 Artist: Heinrich Lossow (age 28) Also Known As: The Sphinx and the Poet Literary Source: Heinrich Heine’s “Book of Songs” Subject: A poet embraced by a dangerous sphinx Setting: Moonlit garden or cemetery (deliberately ambiguous) Style: Romantic with Rococo costume elements Introduction Love can feel like being devoured. Heinrich … Read more
Introduction Some paintings you hang in your living room. Others you hide in private collections, too scandalous to display but too fascinating to destroy. Heinrich Lossow’s 1880 painting “The Sin” (Die Versündigung) fell decisively into the second category—and that’s exactly what made it notorious. “The Sin” wasn’t subtle controversy. Lossow didn’t paint something that might … Read more
